So we had a shrine for finding love, and now it’s time to give way to those who want the opposite – to end a relationship.
Situated between Gion and Yasaka Pagoda area is the Yasui Konpiragu shrine intended for those who want divine assistance ending oppressive relationships. While it’s true that people mostly pray there for an end to their intimate relationships, some pray for an end to their relationship with their boss, or other people who are bad for them.
When I went there with Japanese friends, they told me that it doesn’t end with human relationships. On the ema boards in the shrine, you can see that some people have asked to end to their body’s relationship with cancer, free their lives from psychological stress, or get rid of troubling thoughts. Of course, there are also those who ask for help for family members and friends.
In the shrine is a large stone with a big hole in the middle. The belief is that someone who crosses to the other side can easily end the undesired relationship in their life. This may sound pointless to some of you, but whenever I’ve passed by, there’s been a queue to pass through the hole to the other side of the stone. For many people, the shrine and the customs associated with it are extremely important.
This shrine is very special in its appearance and in its significance, and I highly recommend checking it out when you’re in the area. You’ll be able to take in a strong sense of Japanese culture.
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